UConn expects a fight from Stanford women in Final Four

STANFORD -- Stanford and Connecticut coaches gave it their best shot Wednesday to dispel the notion that the 2014 women's Final Four is a two-school event.

Most analysts expect top-ranked UConn (38-0) and No. 2 Notre Dame (36-0) to cruise into the finale after semifinal games Sunday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

"I know everyone has wanted to make it about this inevitable march toward two undefeated teams playing for the national championships," said Connecticut's Geno Auriemma, whose team faces Stanford at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

"I don't like when you're disrespecting people. I'm glad there are two teams that are undefeated." But, "I cautioned everybody there are two other teams out there good enough to win a national championship."

Cardinal coach Tara VanDerveer recalled the feeling of being overlooked in 1990 when Stanford won its first championship.

"If people want to think of us at the JV team, so be it," she said.

Notre Dame's situation is more precarious than UConn's with the loss of senior forward Natalie Achonwa, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament Monday in an Elite Eight victory over Baylor.

The Fighting Irish plays fourth-seeded Maryland (28-6) in the first game Sunday.

Stanford's team effort in a 74-65 victory over North Carolina on Tuesday night got Auriemma's attention. He saw a transformed team from the one the Huskies demolished by 19 points Nov. 11 in Storrs, Conn.

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"It wasn't just stand around and 'Let's watch Chiney'" Ogwumike, Auriemma said in a teleconference. "Their team has grown.

"If anybody thinks we're going to play the same Stanford team as in November, they're kidding."

UConn defeated Stanford 76-57, although Huskies All-American Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis didn't play most of the second half after injuring her elbow.

Four days later, Connecticut routed Maryland on the road 72-55 in front of 15,327 fans. UConn played without Morgan Tuck and Mosqueda-Lewis.

Auriemma called the two victories the biggest moments in the Huskies' season.

"Those two games maybe let everybody on our team know, hey, it doesn't matter if we have everybody or most everybody, we have it in us to persevere," he said.

UConn and Stanford (33-3) have a special history in their recent rivalry. Last season, the Huskies ended Stanford's 82-game unbeaten streak at Maples Pavilion with a 61-35 victory.

In December 2010, the Cardinal snapped UConn's' NCAA record 90-game winning streak. Stanford also stunned its rival in the national semifinals in 2008. But Connecticut won the next two Final Four encounters, including a national championship game in 2010.

UConn reached its record seventh-consecutive Final Four. Now the reigning NCAA champions are going for their record ninth title.

VanDerveer, who will coach in her 11th Final Four with Stanford, has one of the country's most improved teams.

How did it happen? The players embraced their roles this season.

"We're all part of this production," VanDerveer said. "Some people are on stage, some people are in the back doing the lights or doing the curtain."

Fifth-year senior Mikaela Ruef and teammates watched a video of their regional championship game Wednesday. Stanford players still were marveling how they woman they call "Ruefie" scored a career-best 17 points and was named regional most valuable player.

Ogwumike was not among them.

The all-American forward recalled Wednesday how some teammates said Ruef had her best game of the season against Penn State in the Sweet 16.

But just before the North Carolina game, Ogwumike told her friend, "Your best game is yet to come."